History

The building was designed by John Samuel Alder (1848-1919) of London and constructed by J. Moorhouse and Sons of Meltham using local stone from Crosland Moor.

The Institute comprised a reading room, library and newspaper room on the ground floor, and a classroom and large lecture hall on the first floor. A detached two-storey building at the rear provided two further classrooms.[2]

The cost of construction was reported to be between £6,000 to £7,000.

Plans for five cottages to be built near to the Institute were approved by the Meltham Local Board in May 1891.

A few weeks before formally opening, the Institute's trustees advertised for the post of caretaker in the local press.[3]

Opening Ceremony

The following letter by James W. Carlile to the people of Meltham and Meltham Mills — a copy of which was attached the catalogue in the building's library — was published in the local press:

No one can visit your beautiful valley, so full of busy industry, without being impressed by the many memorials of the Brook family, the churches and schools, the public grounds, the neat cottages, and Convalescent Home, all proving the deep interest which they have felt in you, and now that I have ceased to be their partner, I have built you an institute in order that you may keep my "memory green," and I have bestowed my own name upon it, so that in years to come your children may give a kindly thought to him who ever held your best interests very near to his heart.

Having been always fond of books, I desire to foster among you the same taste ; you will find in the institute a carefully selected reference library, and comfortable rooms, where you may have a quiet retreat when the bustle of the day is over, and become familiar with the thoughts and fancies of many a master mind.

I earnestly trust this library, the selection of which has given me great interest, may be well kept up and extensively used. In adding books to it, I particularly wish the trustees not to permit any additions which are at variance with the principles which have guided me in my original selection.

A newsroom is provided for conversation, to be supplied with papers, magazines, and various games, but cards and gambling of any description is strictly prohibited throughout the whole building.

The Early Years

Both James Haigh[5] and Jonas Brook Hirst were members of the original committee and remained so until their deaths in February 1894 (aged 72) and October 1914 (aged 82) respectively.

Within a few months of opening, the Institute was holding regular events on Monday evenings, typically comprising of lecturers or concerts.

22/Feb/1892

Lecture by John Jaques of Liverpool titled "From Ocean to Ocean" in which he talked about his experiences of Canada and projected photographs using a magic lantern.[6]

07/Mar/1892

Concert chaired by Jonas Brook Hirst and organised by the Kilburn sisters[7]. A rendition of the "Holmfirth Anthem" (aka "Pratty Flowers") was reported as the highlight of the evening, with "the audience joining in the chorus most heartily".[8]

11/Apr/1892

Concert charied by the Rev. H. Davis with the Roberts' Glee Party[9].[10]

Concert, which was reported to be "one of the best ever given" at the Insistute.[33]

At a meeting of the Meltham Local Board in August 1894, an application by the Institute's committee "for the use of the Board's hose-pipe and town's water to wash the windows of the building" was approved, pending payment of 2s. 6d.[34]

The 1901 Census recorded John Bramley (aged 51) as the Carlile Institute caretaker, apparently residing in one of the five cottages behind the Institute. These are named as the Carlile Cottages in the 1911 Census, when James W. Mellor (48) was the caretaker.

In September 1901, Carlile donated a set of twelve oil paintings of the Prime Ministers who had served during his lifetime to date.[35]